Word origin of 'final'

C14: from Latin fīnālis, from fīnis limit, boundary

final for learners of EnglishPowered by COBUILD (faɪnəl)

Word forms: finals

Definitions

1. adjective

In a series of events, things, or people, the final one is the last one. ⇒ Astronauts will make a final attempt today to rescue a communications satellite from its useless orbit. ⇒ This is the fifth and probably final day of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. ⇒ On the last Saturday in September, I received a final letter from Clive.

2. adjective [ADJ n]

Final means happening at the end of an event or series of events. ⇒ You must have been on stage until the final curtain. ⇒ The countdown to the Notting Hill Carnival is in its final hours.

3. adjective [ADJ n]

You can use final to emphasize that a situation has a particular quality to a very great or severedegree. [written, emphasis]ultimate ⇒ Only a few go through the final humiliation of meeting the bailiff at the door.

4. adjective

If a decision or someone's authority is final, it cannot be changed or questioned. ⇒ The judges' decision is final. ⇒ The White House has the final say. ⇒ I'm not going, and that's final.

5. countable noun

The final is the last game or contest in a series and decides who is the winner. ⇒ ...the Scottish Cup Final. ⇒ Pakistan's Jansher Khan has won the men's final at the Singapore Open.

Thefinals of a sportingtournament consist of a smaller tournament that includes only players or teams that have won earlier games. The finals decide the winner of the whole tournament. ⇒ Poland know they have a chance of qualifying for the World Cup Finals.